Ari Romero received second-team All-Big Ten honors in 2012 as a top defender

Photo by Scott Bruhn/Nebraska Communications

Huskers Set to Host Friday Exhibition Match

By NU Athletic Communications

| 08/14/2013

Lincoln - The Nebraska soccer team will begin its 2013 season when it hosts an exhibition match against Colorado College at the Nebraska Soccer Field this Friday, Aug. 16, at 4 p.m. Admission is free for the exhibition contest.

The Huskers and Tigers last met for a preseason tilt in 2009 where NU took a 2-0 decision. NU holds a 2-1 advantage all-time during the regular season against Colorado College, with the last contest occurring in 2005.

Head Coach John Walker returns an experienced squad in 2013 with six seniors, including second-team All-Big Ten selection Ari Romero and fellow defender Maritza Hayes who has started every game of the past three seasons, while starting goalkeeper Emma Stevens has started all but one match in net for NU over the past two seasons.

The Huskers also welcome back 2011 all-conference second-teamer Jordan Jackson, who was set to play her senior season in 2012, but an injury resulted in her receiving an extra year of eligibility.

Junior Mayme Conroy had a breakout season for the Huskers in 2012 on her way to earning second-team All-Big Ten honors. Conroy led the Huskers with 14 goals, which ranked sixth in the Big Ten and tied for 23rd in the country.

Nebraska welcomes eight new players to their squad in 2013, including one in-state product, along with three players from Missouri, as well as one each from Minnesota, Illinois, Kansas and an international newcomer from Brazil. The incoming class will join a Nebraska program that made its first appearance at the Big Ten Tournament in 2012 during the team’s second season in the conference.

The Huskers are set to play 19 games in their third season as members of the Big Ten Conference in 2013. NU faces eight NCAA Tournament qualifiers from last year, including two Sweet 16 teams in Denver and Michigan, an Elite Eight finisher in BYU, and Penn State, who fell in the national title game.

NU will open the regular season next weekend as it hosts the Husker Classic beginning on Friday, Aug. 23, when it faces Southeast Missouri State at 6 p.m. The weekend will commence on Sunday, Aug. 25, with a match against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Noon. The two contests are the first of nine regular-season home games.

For more information, including TV and video stream information, check out the soccer schedule page at Huskers.com.